There are accredited and unaccredited programs in General Vascular Surgery. An unaccredited program may give you a good experience, but will not allow you to sit for your boards and depending on the institution, you may be unable to get full privileges to perform general vascular surgery. To apply for an accredited program, the individual needs to be in (or have completed) an accredited residency in general surgery. The application process starts in the 4^th clinical year of residency. There is a formal match process and for a listing of programs and to enter into the match, the National Resident Matching Program should be contacted.¹

Although research experience is not required, many applicants have had some formal experience during their residency for a 1-2 year period. Most others have at least written a clinical paper or case reports demonstrating some objective interest in vascular surgery. Some research opportunities, if they are not available at your institution are discussed below.

Residency

Most programs are two years long, with a minority being only one year. You are required to have completed a minimum of 100 cases during the residency. You are also required to have some experience in endovascular techniques. In the interview process you should look at the distribution of cases. Although endovascular requirements are not clearly defined at the current time, the requirements will become more specific in the near future. Many programs do not have a well-defined program, but you should be told what kind of experience there is and what they anticipate when the fellow in your year would start at their institution. Endovascular experience is definitely an asset for future job opportunities.

Board Certification - Added Qualifications in General Vascular Surgery

The individual must pass the American Board of Surgery (ABS) Certifying Examination in Surgery and complete an approved vascular surgery training program to qualify. The surgeon will be eligible to take the Qualifying Examination in General Vascular Surgery in the fall after completing their training. There is also a Certifying Examination based on the caseload as an attending vascular surgeon. The individual is not required to recertify in Surgery in order to recertify in General Vascular Surgery (every 10 years).

Endovascular Surgery 

There is no question that endovascular procedures have become part of a viable vascular surgery practice. Some individuals are well trained from their fellowships, but other surgeons who have been in practice need to gain experience. There are a variety of ways to go about this. Sometimes there are opportunities to gain training within the surgeon's institution. There are a number of mini-fellowships. Most are 3 months in duration and require paying a substantial fee. There are also a number of mini-fellowships, short courses at meetings and some, which are sponsored by different companies.

Grant Funding and Research Fellowships

Although there are a number of awards available through other surgical societies, certain programs, which are specific for the discipline of vascular surgery are described. The descriptions of qualifications are not complete. Local and Regional Vascular Societies may offer more opportunities and should be checked locally.

Medical Students

If a student is interested in vascular surgery, the student should try and identify a mentor early. For students interested in a formal research experience, there may be institutional or departmental funds to support the project. In addition, the Lifeline Foundation, which was developed by the vascular organizations, does offer a Student Research Fellowship.² The application is due the winter before and requires a description of the project. The student needs to identify a mentor early for this application.

Residents

Often there is a good opportunity for vascular research at your own institution. For those residents are looking for a research experience in vascular surgery, one excellent funded opportunity is the National Research Service Award Fellowship, Harvard-Longwood Fellowship in Vascular Surgery Research.³ It is a two year fellowship designed for residents who want to have an academic career in vascular surgery. The individual needs to have completed 3 or 5 clinical years of general surgery.

The Annual William J. von Liebig Foundation⁴ Award for Excellence in Vascular Surgical Research for Residents, Fellows and Mentors is an excellent opportunity for recognition of your research efforts. Through this program residents and fellows submit research manuscripts. Manuscripts receiving a high score will receive a $2500 stipend and their mentors will receive $10,000 or $5,000. This foundation has also awarded research awards at the Joan L. and Julius H. Jacobson Research Initiatives in Vascular Disease Conference and the Eastern Vascular Society Meeting.

Faculty

The Lifeline Foundation²

The Lifeline Foundation was established to promote and fund vascular research and currently sponsors a number of important programs. The E.J. Wiley Traveling Fellowship allows the recipient to visit vascular centers of excellence. Individuals must be younger than 40 years, have completed vascular training, be committed to an academic career, and have demonstrated success in the chosen area of interest. The stipend is $12,000.

The Clinical Research Grant can include clinical trials, technology assessment, outcomes evaluation, etc. Applicants must be members of the AAVS or SVS. The funding is for a maximum of 3 years and funding of $100,000 total.

The Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award - K08 is an outstanding opportunity for a junior vascular surgeon interested in basic science research. This award is for up to 5 years for a maximum of $150,000 per year. Part of these funds includes salary support. It is funded by the Lifeline Foundation through a grant from the William J. von Liebig Foundation, and the NHLBI. 

The Pacific Vascular Research Foundation

Funding is for teaching, basic or clinical research, community service, and patient care. Funding is for up to 3 years with a maximum award of $150,000. The applicant must be within 5 years of completing a general vascular surgery residency. 

Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society (PVSS) Educational Grant Award⁶

The proposal can be either basic science or clinical research. This stipend is $10,000.

Membership in Vascular Societies

With regard to membership in vascular societies, with your mentor you should target the timing of membership application and identify who should write your letters of recommendation. There are local and regional Vascular Surgery Societies for which you should consider joining in your region. I have listed several national societies below. The membership criteria are highlighted, but for complete information you should acquire the actual application.

PVSS⁵

This is a national organization, which is inclusive and mostly focuses on clinical vascular surgery. Fellows in vascular surgery who have completed their residency in general surgery are eligible to become Candidate Members. A surgeon who is board certified in surgery, board eligible for General Vascular Surgery, and within 10 years of completion of training is able to become an Active Member. 

American Association for Vascular Surgery (AAVS, formally known as the International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery, North American Chapter)² 

This is an important national vascular organization. Physicians who are accepted into, currently in a vascular residency, or are within 3 years after completion qualify for Candidate Membership. Active Members must have met at least 3 of the following criteria: special qualifications in vascular surgery; completion of an approved program; certificate for special qualifications in vascular surgery; made significant contributions to the field; demonstrated a commitment to the practice of vascular or endovascular surgery; fellowship in the American College of Surgeons (ACS), Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), or equivalent; participation in regional or local vascular societies.

Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS)²

This is an important national vascular organization. To be considered for membership, individuals must have made major contributions to the field of vascular surgery and be able to demonstrate substantial achievement in clinical, research, and educational areas. A sponsor must request an application for you.

Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery (SCVS)²

The SCVS' purpose is to promote the art and science of vascular surgery, to provide a forum for vascular surgeons, and to improve healthcare delivery to patients. Candidate Membership is available for general surgical residents, vascular residents, or attending surgeons who do not yet qualify for Active Membership. Qualification for Active Membership includes: qualification by ABS, ACS, or RCS; active practice of vascular surgery for > 3 years; a case list or copy of board certificate for vascular surgery.

References

1.         National Resident Matching Program
            2501 M Street, NW, Suite 1
            Washington, DC 20037-1307
            www.nrmp.aamc.org  

2.         Lifeline Foundation, AAVS, SVS, or SCVS
            13 Elm Street
            Manchester, MA 01944
            (978) 526-4018 
            www.vascularweb.org

3.         Harvard-Longwood Fellowship in Vascular Surgery Research
            Program Director: Frank W. LoGerfo, MD
            Beth Israel Deacones Medical Center - West
            110 Francis Street, #5B
            Boston, MA 02215
            (617) 632-9955

4.         The William J. von Liebig Foundation
            8889 Pelican Bay Boulevard, Suite 403
            Naples, FL 34108
            www.vonliebigfoundation.com 

5.         Pacific Vascular Research Foundation
            3627 Sacramento Street
            San Francisco, CA 94118
            (415) 771-3541

6.         Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society
            DMC Companies
            824 Munras Avenue, Suite C
            Monterey, CA 93940
            (831) 373-0508
            www.pvss.org